An database can run in the background on a laptop or desktop computer.

Drive storage is now so cheap you can easily store and backup a lifetime of data yourself.

Setup of a database is completely automated and requires no special skills to manage.

Time spent learning to setup, backup, edit and restore a database is well worth it to:

Have the reliability, power and speed of a professional grade database.

Have the confidence to collect any data that might be important later.

Edit your personal database knowing you can undo changes and restore after mistakes.

Know that your life's work does not depend on an on-line service that may go away.

You can encrypt your hard drive and even keep backups in a safety deposit box for as much security
as you decide your data requires.

Benefits of a Personal Database

Acquiring well organized data on a subject can be better than memorizing or going to school
to learn a subject.

A well organized personal database can help when you need to memorize information for short periods
of time so you can apply the information to a problem.

You can share your ideas by sharing part or all of your personal database with others.

When you explore your database you will likely be surprised at the volumes of
information you have forgotten since you added them to the database.

You can give the database to someone when you are gone.

It is never too late to start a personal database. You can always backfill your database at any
time by setting aside time to dump everything you know about yourself or any subject into your database.
It does not even matter if your recollection is poor or even incorrect, since your database
reflects what you know and you control who sees it.